Rev. J. Richard "Dick" Buchanan

Rev. J. Richard “Dick” (Grandpa) Buchanan, 90, of Shippensburg, passed away the evening of Sunday, August 18, 2024 at his home with his loving family by his side.

He was born on April 23, 1934 in Grove City, PA, a son of the late Albert Henry and Mary W. Headlee Buchanan. He married Mary V. Hawk on March 9, 1957.

Dick was a 1951 graduate of Evans City High School and a 1955 graduate of Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministries. Dick dedicated 60+ years as a Pastor with Rural Home Missionary Association, serving churches in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Maine, North Carolina, and South Dakota. Throughout those years, he was always supported by his home church, Sharon Baptist Church. For the past six years, Dick was an active member of the Chambersburg Alliance Church. 

In addition to his wife of 67 years, Mary Buchanan, he is survived by four children, Vicki (David) Johnson of Taylors, SC, Steven (Rebecca) Buchanan of North Pole, AK, Melissa (late Harold) Watson of Gloucester, VA, and Julianna (Jeff) McCracken of Shippensburg; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three siblings, Larry (Mary Lee) Buchanan of Canton, OH, Peggy (Bob) Craig of El Paso, TX, and Kathy (Rolly) Pflug of Greer, SC; and two sisters-in-law, Ruth Ann Buchanan of Lakeview, NY and Tammy Buchanan of Heritage, PA.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chambersburg Alliance Church, 230 Siloam Road, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Pastor Mike Garrison and Pastor Jeff McCracken will officiate. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. 

Dick’s (Grandpa’s) family would like to express their sincere thanks to their church family and friends, from the many places he served, who visited, called, provided meals and prayed faithfully for him and the family during his time of illness. The family also extends appreciation for the many compassionate and competent caregivers who made it possible for Dick to remain at home during the last months of his life. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Rural Home Missionary Association, 310 E. Courtland St., Morton, IL 61550 or at rhma.org/donate. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg. 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com.